Jonathan Toews ruled ‘unfit to participate’ for Blackhawks

Jonathan Toews was ruled “unfit to participate” and did not practice with the Blackhawks on Tuesday, one day after he left practice early.

Philipp Kurashev replaced Toews with Alex DeBrincat at left wing and Brandon Saad at right wing during the first period in the team’s scrimmage Tuesday at Fifth Third Arena in Chicago. Dylan Sikura filled in for Kurashev with DeBrincat and Dylan Strome at right wing in the second period, which saw Sikura score a hat trick.

Toews snapped his stick during power play drills about 35 minutes into practice Monday, walked to the locker room and did not return for the rest of practice. Coach Jeremy Colliton said Toews was kept out of practice Monday because he was “just trying to keep him fresh. Nothing other than that.”

In his 13th NHL season, Toews scored 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) in 70 games before it was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

The Blackhawks have their second scheduled off day of training camp Wednesday then they’ll have four straight practice days before traveling to Edmonton on July 26 for their Stanley Cup Qualifier series against the Oilers. Chicago will face the Blues at 5:30 p.m. July 30 in an exhibition game before their best-of-five series against Edmonton starts at 2 p.m. Aug. 1.

The qualifier series winner will advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the loser will have a 12.5 percent chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery, which will be Aug. 10. The 2020 NHL Draft is set for Oct. 9-10.